6-18-2009

Dear Friends of Susan Pierce:
We are writing to explain how cash contributions can be made to assist with the travel and lodging expenses for a few close friends and the family members that are serving as caregivers for Susan Pierce.

For any of you not familiar with Susan's health challenges:
The following is taken from Susan's website at
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/susanpierce/mystory
(you can go to this site and click on Journal for updates on Susan's recovery, and click on Guestbook to send a note to Susan and/or her family.)
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Background Story
Susan arrived at The Mayo Medical Center in Rochester, Minnesota, on May 3rd for a few days of tests and second opinion regarding her heart. She has had problems this last year which clearly involved the heart and her condition was worsening.

After two weeks of extensive tests and invasive procedures, results showed restriction of the heart muscle, as well as constriction of the pericardium sac around the heart. This scarring is a result of her radiation treatment in 1976 for Hodgkin's Disease and is progressive. The two main coronary arteries were found to be 90% blocked. Immediate open heart surgery was the only option for hope.

The difficult decision was made and Susan is preparing for her May 29th surgery here in Rochester, at St. Mary's Hospital.
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Susan is in a unique situation with her health challenges and needs. It is anticipated that her recovery will be quite lengthy. So far it has required remaining hospitalized in Rochester, and it may be that even when she leaves the hospital, she will need to be housed close by.

Susan’s four siblings (Sallie Metcalf, Nick Pierce, Kevin Pierce, Carol Byers) have each traveled to Rochester, and will continue to do so…and will be vital to Susan’s care.

Gratefully, a few of Susan’s close friends have made themselves available to travel and assist with Susan’s care during her recovery. Of course this will be invaluable to Susan and her siblings.

A fundraiser will be held Thursday evening, July 2nd, at Eddie’s Attic in downtown Decatur. The entirety of the $10 admission cost will go to Susan’s benefit.

Many who cannot attend this event have inquired about making a donation.

We looked at using PayPal and numerous other options…but each requires costs that we want to avoid…so that every dollar donated goes directly to Susan’s benefit.

We understand that these are challenging times financially, so any donation amount is appreciated. For those not able to contribute, your continued prayers and cards are deeply appreciated.

Contributions can be made by writing a check payable to Jeff Asher, and mailed to him at 2497 Riverglenn Circle; Dunwoody, GA 30338. The account will be a joint account in the name of Randy Tanner or Jeff Asher, and all account’s checks will show Susan Pierce Benefit on the address line.

All monies received at the Eddie’s Attic event and from checks received by mail will be deposited by Jeff in the checking account established solely for Susan’s benefit. The checking account will be free…no service charges whatsoever.

Jeff will maintain a log of each check received. Jeff will provide the log to Randy Tanner.
At the direction of Susan and her siblings, Randy Tanner will be responsible for writing checks for travel expenses from the account for either a Pierce family member or one of Susan’s close friends who is covering for a Pierce family member.

The contributors and amounts given by an individual will be strictly confidential between Jeff and Randy.

Each contributor will receive confirmation of their individual donation amount via either mail or email from both Jeff and Randy. Once all donations received have been paid out for the travel and lodging expenses for Susan’s care, a listing of those payments will be provided to each contributor that requests it.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Jeff or Randy by email or phone.

Thank you for your consideration of this request!

Randy Tanner
rtanner@tbmins.com
404-917-1914

Jeff Asher
Jcasher@bellsouth.net